Staying in the EU is vital for business, warn two-thirds of small firms

Britain should remain in the European Union because it is vital for business, say nearly two-thirds of small and medium-sized firms.

A survey to be published tomorrow, will show widespread support for membership of the EU, with most firms regarding it as a natural extension of their trading grounds.

Key advantages were ease of travel and the trade that came from being part of the EU, as well as similar ways of doing business, according to the survey by BNI, a small business networking organisation with 13,000 members in the UK.

Support: Nearly two-thirds of small and medium-sized firms say that Britain should remain in the EU

The Continent is still Britain’s biggest export market, accounting for more than half of all UK exports. Latest Government figures show exports to the EU rose to £12.9billion in March, up £400million on February and the highest since March last year.

The results of the BNI survey of more than 1,600 small enterprises will be welcomed by the three main political parties.

Last month a group of 12 leading businessmen, including Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of advertising giant WPP, said the economic case for remaining in Europe was ‘overwhelming’, warning that anti-EU politicians were putting politics before the country’s economic wellbeing.

The referendum on Britain’s place in Europe promised by David Cameron is still four years away, yet the arguments both for and against remaining in the EU are increasingly fierce.

Charlie Lawson, national director of BNI, said: ‘It’s clear that small businesses value Britain’s EU membership. We believe the referendum will corroborate this. It would be a mistake to raise doubts over ever-increasing ties with our closest neighbours.’

However, the enthusiasm of small firms contrasts with that of the public. A survey carried out by pollster Survation last week revealed that 51 per cent want Britain to leave the EU.

The BNI survey will also highlight the lack of support among small businesses in Scotland for independence, with 70 per cent saying they would prefer it to remain part of the UK.